Parties and the Fair

August is a busy time for the guy Cally and Hazen call Dad. He's busy getting everything in order for the biggest "event" of his year-- Trek (the orientation trips for incoming students at UVM). Even so, we did get out and about to enjoy Vermont and the great friends we have here. First there was Thompson's second birthday party:


Then there was High Meadow Farm Weekend with Uncle Scotty, his sister and all their friends:


We found a digger on the side of the road:



And then there was the fair, where we saw pig races:



Rode a pony:


Did a family carousel ride:



Went on various rides:




Cal even went on a ride all by herself!


And Cally was even quoted as saying "Hazen is my best friend".

Look Who's 6 months Old

He's weighing in a few ounces under 17 pounds, he's 27 inches tall, he's almost sitting up on his own, he's eating carrots, bananas, sweet potato, and rice cereal, rolling over, and he's absolutely killing it with his charm! He'll let anyone hold him, he's got a smile that could melt a glacier, and he absolutely loves his sister (and she was recently caught saying, "Hazen is my best friend"-- let's see how she feels about him once he's on the move and stealing her toys).

Maine--Vacation Redefined

It used to be that a vacation was all about recharging the batteries, but vacationing with a six month old and two and a half year old isn't really about that right now (especially when it involves numerous stops and camping). There weren't many books read, nor long slumbers, but there were lots of laughs and amazing memories were made.

DAY ONE: Sebego Lake

I can't think of a better place to spend the day, especially when the mercury was pushing into the upper 90s. Guy, Tatiana, and Lucas once again opened their lovely home to us. This place is a little piece of heaven. We ate well, went swimming under the stars, and felt relief from the heat.




DAY TWO: Sebego Lake and Cape Elizabeth

The heat broke and we made it out for a hike up Rattlesnake Look Out (near Sebego) to get a little idea of the surrounding area. Cally actually hiked part of the way (because we left the backpack for her back at the lake) and she did great!


We arrived at our gracious hosts, Alex and MJ's place near Portland just in time to go out on a date (they have teenage daughters who offered to babysit). We jumped in Alex's "new" convertible, grabbed some sandwiches, and hit the beach.





Our kids adore Alex and M.J (and their girls, Zoe and Isabel). They haven't had babies or toddlers in a while and both work with elementary aged kids. Whatever is the case, they have a whole lot of love to give Cally and Hazen.


DAY THREE: Cape Elizabeth- Camden Hills State Park

Once again, we got to sail on "Tweed", the sailboat that they have access to in Casco Bay. Most importantly, Cally got to see the seal island that we've been talking about since last year (every night before she goes to sleep she gets a story and about 75% of the time she requests that we tell her a story about seals).




A close second behind the seals, for best moments of the day, was Cally chomping into her first Whoopie Pie (the Maine State Dessert).


We waved farewell to our hosts as the sky started to darken and headed north. In order to get a campsite in Acadia, you have to get to the campground by noon, so we decided to head half way up towards the park to Camden Hills State Park.

DAY FOUR: Camden Hills State Park- Acadia National Park

We got up after a rainy night, grocery shopped, and pulled up to Seawall Campground a minute before noon. It turns out, there were plenty of sites to choose from on a Tuesday. We set up camp, hopped on our bikes, and headed out on a ride to the Bass Harbor Light House.


And ended the ride at the Seawall, where we had cheese & crackers and beers right at cocktail hour.

DAY FIVE: Acadia National Park

We had a leisurely morning, packed up our bikes and headed to the "nonquiet" side of the island to hit the carriage roads. We rode up Day Mountain, had a picnic lunch, and then hit Jordan Pond. The chariot was perfect, it seemed to lull the kids to sleep and carried all that we needed for the day.





DAY SIX: Acadia National Park

We spent the day at Echo Lake (where the water is warm and there are lots of things to do). We set up our umbrella on the beach at the lake, swam, hiked up to Beech Mountain, swam again, ate lunch, biked to Seal Cove while the kids napped, swam, and then packed it up and hit the lobster pound.







DAY SEVEN: Acadia National Park- Waterford, ME

We packed up our camp and headed out to Great Head and Sand Beach for a hike in the park.




Then we headed West to Dave and Bonnie's home for the annual Bates gathering. After almost five hours in the car, and setting up our tent in the rain, John was thrilled to eat be treated to a traditional Maine Lobster feast.

DAY EIGHT- Waterford, ME

The Bates crowd never ceases to amaze me. For the past four years, John's buddy Joc has coordinated a gathering of their college friends. The last two years, we've converged at someone's home where there are some work projects that are in need of being done. Once the location is determined, a date is set, and everything just comes together. Food accumulates and gets prepared almost magically, projects happen, and fun is happening all around. This year we went to Dave & Bonnie's house in Waterford Maine. The weather was perfect, the meals delicious, the comraderie unbelieveable. Cally immediately took to the kids (in particular 6 year old Ander and 14 year old Emily) and everyone seemed to take to Hazen. We worked hard, played hard, and had a good old time playing at the lake, making tie dye t-shirts, and catching up!








Phew! Another year, another trip to Maine. We love it, we'll be back, but now I need a real vacation....... that just might not happen for another five years! That said, the kids were troopers, they were in five different places in ten days. They slept in cars, backpacks, the chariot, nests in random houses, and our tent. It wasn't easy for any of us, but we are getting used to it. And sleep...... well, there will have to be time for that later.